How to Raise an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi

How to Raise an Antiracist Reviews

• 
  Kara

  I have a five-year-old, and I think a lot about how to raise him. What kinds of conversations about race should we be having and at what ages? How do we talk about him being biracial? Should we bring things up proactively or wait until he asks questions? When choosing schools, how much should we weigh student and teacher body diversity compared to academic outcomes?
  
  All of these questions are covered in this book that is part memoir and part compilation of lots of studies and statistics. I love that the last third of the book is notes: Kendi really did his homework to write this book, and sprinkling the book with his own personal vignettes of raising a child (and also from his own childhood) made the book much more readable and engaging.
  
  I’d recommend this to everyone responsible for young kids.
  
  Thank you to NetGalley and One World!
• 
  da AL

  Complete candor about a subject that's scary to talk about. Kendi writes with needed honesty about how difficult raising an antiracist child is, but how essential it is.
• 
  Sacha

  5 stars...obviously
  
  Kendi is one of the most important and intriguing thinkers and writers of our time, and his work on race, culture, and modern society in general has been transformative for me on both personal and professional levels; I know many share these experiences. Folks who come to this most recent installment with positive intent will find the exceptional value they anticipate.
  
  One facet of Kendi's work that stands out is the personal connection. The claims are remarkably well sourced and supported, but there's so much added by Kendi's and Kendi's partner's birth story, his young child's experiences, and even his own experiences as a young person. The whole time I was reading, I couldn't stop thinking about what an incredible gift this text is to his family. What must it be like to have a father who can so clearly articulate the ways in which their child shaped their understanding of the culture and of themselves?
  
  As a person who quite intentionally has steered all the way clear of having my own children but who has taught MANY other people's kids for many years, I wasn't sure if I'd find the same value in a book with "raise" in the title as some of my parent counterparts. However, I found this incredibly applicable to my own interactions not only with kids in my life but also with folks who generally need/desire mentoring.
  
  I always finish Kendi's work feeling not only like I learned something but also like I've been altered as a human, and this read is no exception. Kendi is a gift to our incredibly messed up modern times, and I will continue to devour his work at every opportunity.
  
  *Special thanks to NetGalley and One World for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
• 
  Mary

  Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
  
  Through the lens of the start of his journey of raising his own child, as well as reflecting on his past, Ibram X. Kendi’s How To Raise an Antiracist offers a comprehensive guide for any caregiver on how to raise children — and society — to be antiracist.
  
  Like his book How To Be an Antiracist, I loved how Dr. Kendi used his lived experience as examples throughout the book. It is one thing to be told statistics on students who are victims of racial bias, and another thing to be provided with an account of how those moments feel. Dr. Kendi offers both, asking even the most privileged to take a moment and see the world through the lens of children who deserve to grow up in a better world.
  
  Overall, this book was chock full of good information. It also goes far beyond simply providing information; this book asks you to really take a seat and think about a lot of hard things. You leave having learned a wealth of information, and you leave with a list of habits and biases and preconceived notions that you need to unlearn. Whether you are a participating member of a specific child’s village, or even just a member of society, this book is a vital read.
• 
  Becca

  Great book with great thoughts, led to a lot of good questions and discussions. It did seem more like it should have been called WHY to raise an anti racist rather than HOW. I wish it had been a bit more prescriptive. While Dr. Kendi and I may not be in lock-step on every single idea about raising kids, I was pushed and challenged in my parenting, and I hope the reading of it will produce lasting change in Abe’s life.
• 
  Blair

  Really enjoyed that the book was part memoir and part research. It was more 'big picture' than I expected with a lot of focus on schools, teachers, and society. A thoughtful and educational read...would recommend.
• 
  Lindsay Nixon

  A must-read even if you’re not a parent.
• 
  Brynne Wisner

  4.5/5 ⭐️ I’m not a parent, I am not having a child (looking at you Hannah and Asha), and tbh I don’t ever plan to have children so technically this book may seem like an odd choice. But I know I will have friends and family that do and I think that this is a very important book for me to have read if I plan to be in those children’s lives. Also I really like Kendi’s other books (listening to him on audiobook just feels like a long Ted talk 10/10 recommend).
  
  In this book, Kendi goes from pregnancy through the teenage years and how racism affect children as well as how early children are indoctrinated with racist views and ideas. And he touches a little bit on how to combat both of these things. I learned a lot from this book and I think it would be a very beneficial book for any caregiver or educator. I appreciated that he switched between facts and statistics to both his own lived experiences as a child and his experiences with his own child. I do feel the book got a bit weaker once he moved onto the section for older children since his child is 3ish and he couldn’t draw on his experiences as a parent anymore. I also felt that considering the book is called “how to raise an anti racist” it’s more about why you need to and he didn’t describe a ton of how tos especially for older children besides discussing race with them. Overall a good listen and if anything I really recommend his afterword as he discusses critical race theory and makes a lot of very good points backed up by statistics that I would use going forward discussing CRT with anyone in opposition.
• 
  Haley Coleman

  I truly believe this to be mandatory reading for ANYONE with children in their lives. I picked this up not yet a mom, but as a caregiver of little ones in a hospital and as an aunt and it was truly a life altering, helpful and research backed read. I rented it from the library but will surely be buying a copy so I can continue to refer to this as my interaction with kids of all ages evolves as I do!
• 
  Mrs. Chow

  Every adult who has contact with and/or cares about raising children into adults needs to read this book. One of the most important books published in 2022.
• 
  Zibby Owens

  This book talks about taking the journey to be an antiracist and ensuring our kids follow in those footsteps. It conveys a movement and a process we can all take to ensure we are on the right path. It's something that should encourage us to have tough conversations with our children and protect them by teaching them about racism. Throughout the book, the author gave many examples, including health care for Black women, pregnancy, and fetal health statistics but then related those to something personal in his story. The author talks about studies showing that we can nurture empathy or block its growth. To nurture empathy is to encourage a child who can look at someone who isn't like them, and when they see that person hurting, they hurt too. That's the type of antiracist empathy we have to nurture in our children.
  
  This book was not only helpful, instructive, and thought-provoking, but there was also so much of the author's story and personal experience weaved throughout, which I found very compelling. This book taught me that we must look around our environment to see if we are raising antiracist children. We have to remember that everything we choose to have around us (toys, dolls, tv shows, etc.) can make a difference and shape our kids into understanding what and who they value.
  
  To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
  
  https://www.momsdonthavetimetoreadboo..."
• 
  Andrew Eder

  Yes. Just yes. This should be required reading for anyone that works with children 0-6. And then highly recommended after that. It’s almost a think piece on how to “baby proof” our environments to combat racism in children’s lives. I listened to Dr.Kendi read this and the PASSION in his voice was just outstanding.
  
  I also loved the vulnerability he showed as he shared his mistakes, his questions, and his doubts with readers. Definitely sharing this with as many as I can.
• 
  Itumeleng94

  This was such a timely and wonderful read. As a white mom and a white teacher of mostly young children of color, I want to make sure that I am ‘doing right’ by my own children and by my students. I am not much of a non-fiction reader so I read this in between other books. Each time I read I found parts that spoke to me as either a human being in a multiracial society, as a mom or as a teacher. I will be rereading this.
• 
  Stacy Renee (LazyDayLit)

  An important read for any and all caregivers and educators!
• 
  Amethyst

  "The most critical part of raising an antiracist child is not what we do with our child. It is what we do with our society...Because nothing raises an antiracist child more effectively than an antiracist society."
  
  I read this entire book in 24 hours, and while reading I was texting fellow parents about it. It is one that would benefit all caregivers to children. He mixes research, his childhood, and the birth story of his daughter who was born prematurely to expand on the principles outlined in
  Antiracist Baby. He touches on colorism, eugenics, ableism, neo-Nazi recruitment. Through it all he highlights racial equality and that what makes us equal is our shared humanity.
  
  Kendi expands on four prominent forms of racial socialization throughout the book: Promotion of mistrust, cultural socialization, preparation for bias/racism, and color blindness (Note: the first and last are racist/harmful). Essentially, explaining racism to children in moments of recognition is far better than leaving children to explain it to themselves. Having books, toys, and games that reflect our child's complexion and culture as well as the rest of our multicultural world is necessary, though we also need conversations about how people aren't good or bad; people can do good or bad things (shared humanity).
  
  "For many privileged caregivers, if the child excels, then it's due to the natural talent she inherited, not the unnatural privileges she inherited. For many deprived parents, if she falters, then she is to blame, not the unnatural deprivations she inherited. If privileged and deprived parents believe that their kids are better or worse by nature, then they are bound to impart these ideas to those same kids. That makes those kids vulnerable to racist ideas of inherent superiority.
  
  My mindset is irreversibly changed since reading
  How To Be an Antiracist, and I appreciate this supplemental book along with his other works.
  
  Thank you to One World (an imprint of Random House), NetGalley, and especially Dr. Kendi for allowing me to review this book in exchange for an honest review before its release June 14, 2022.
• 
  Kimberly

  Though I'm not a parent myself, reading this book has made me better equipped to talk about race and racism with all of the children in my life. It's a valuable tool for anyone who has contact with kids; parents, grandparents, teachers, counselors, aunts and uncles, etc. This book contains a wealth of information, presented in a clear and readable way, with lots of citations and examples, to help adults have difficult conversations with children. It does not point fingers at one particular racial group, but rather speaks of how we all can do better to raise children who are antiracist. This book makes it clear that people of all races, including white people, benefit from an antiracist society. It's not one skin color versus another; we are all in this together.
  
  Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the privilege of reading an advanced digital copy of this educational and eye opening book, in exchange for my honest review.
• 
  Barry Kyrkund

  If you are about to become a parent or are currently a parent, then it is your responsibility to teach your child to be an antiracist. Just as being a racist is a learned behavior so is anti racism.
  We live in a world where a group of people within the Republican Party want to hind the truth of American history in order to protect their white privilege and power. They want their children to be exactly a carbon copy of themselves instead of helping to opening their minds to work on ending racism that this country has and continues to suffer from.
  This book uses the story of the author to help parents do things differently for the betterment of their children and to improve the moral state of this country.
• 
  Sara

  I learned so much from reading this book! It reads very easily as the author weaves in and out of his own story with his daughter and wife to illustrate his own learning and thoughts. I immediately took to the idea of "childproofing" against racism much as we childproof against other dangers. It all clicks into place as you read and realize how easy it is to not protect your child and to ignore the subtle racism that abounds in our society. Well researched, well written, and a book that every caretaker should be reading and absorbing. And... we are all caretakers.
  
  Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. It belongs on everyone's shelf.
• 
  Chelsea

  This is probably the least prescriptive parenting book I've ever read. It was more why than how, but still a great read, especially as my toddler reaches an age where they comprehend so much more of what we say. This book gave me confidence in my conviction that it isn't too early to have these hard conversations. Bonus points for consistently using gender inclusive language!
• 
  Donna Wilson

  Important book for all parents, educators, and everyone! Dr. Kendi shares his stories growing up with racism and how we can talk to our children and inspire them to be better and make the world a better place.
• 
  Heather

  Two parts memoir, one part social commentary, every part expanded upon by research. This book is both eye-opening and inspiring; while the reality is grim, the book also focuses on the innocence of a child, the influence of their family and community, and the hope that we can raise them to be better than us.
  
  I really liked how Kendi stepped back from his past experiences to explain other viewpoints of what was happening; there was a real sense of compassion and critical thinking in each of his points.
  
  I also really liked that he spent an entire section talking about ableism, and racism in conjunction with racism. This is not something I've seen a lot of in my circles, and it was really informative.
  
  An easy 5 stars.
• 
  Shomeret

  I blogged about this book in a very free wheeling way that was more than a review. I thought this was a provocative book. I had reflections on topics raised by Kendi within its pages.
  
  If you want to see what I had to say on my blog, go to
  https://shomeretmasked.blogspot.com/2...
• 
  pugs

  if you're looking to read kendi, 'stamped from the beginning' is a resource rich work flexing his knowledge and research ability, where he shines. the 'how to...' books feel hollow in comparison to his academic-forward work. whether 'being' or 'raising,' his material on antiracism suffers from other popular (see: profitable) efforts on the topic, where critique fills up to the brim, right before criticizing the capitalist system. capitalism is typically mentioned (rather, softened) with a qualifier and only in passing. he speaks of material needs and the significance of nurturing, nearly eluding to, but avoids the likes of materialism, probably for the sake of book sales, since any mention of marx in mainstream american publishing is deterred. kendi may mention marxist (or adjacent) educators and writers (davis, freire, hooks, etc.), showing he's obviously informed on the subject, and perhaps this is even his walk-around to steer away from liberal and conservative complaints, but it ultimately leaves his criticism feel incomplete. the weaving of his personal narrative of childhood and fatherhood is an understandable method to set up the reader for socially related criticism, but reads more like two unfinished works forced together-- i would love a full ixk memoir fwiw, since those aspects are the highlights of this book; perhaps this is a stylistic gripe on my part. i would suggest books like 'pedagogy of the oppressed,' 'teaching to transgress,' or 'racism without racists,' before any of kendi's 'how to' type of books if looking for something "guide" related regarding antiracism, favoring source material he mentions over the kendi books themselves. in summation, kendi always knows his shit, but also knows what sells.
• 
  Shannan Harper

  How to raise an Antiracist is a perfect resource for anyone who has children in their lives. Dr. Kendi gives a lot of personal examples of some of the issues surrounding racism, as well as great ways to combat some of the issues we have to deal with. There are a lot of questions answered in this much needed resource and very well researched. Phenomenal and very important read.
  
  
• 
  Erin Adwell Teague

  Solid research that underscores the importance of addressing race with our kiddos. What surprised me is how much of the book is important reading for educators.
• 
  Amy

  Wow. Such a powerful book and as a mother, I wish i had read it 20 years ago. This should be required reading for all.
• 
  Angie

  This is an excellent read, and fairly short.
  Kendi discusses various stages of raising a child: pregnancy and birth, newborns, babies, toddlers, preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, high school, and leaving the nest. He also touches on the intersections of race and disability, class, etc. at some points.
  What makes this book so engaging is that it's very much a personal memoir, with him discussing the birth of his daughter in the first few chapters... and then what he remembers of his own upbringing and school years for the others. (As his daughter was just in kindergarten when he wrote it, he hasn't dealt with her teen years yet!) He also uses his brother's school experiences for some of the topics. Of course, these chapters all have tons of statistics and research woven into them... but since they are intertwined with the personal stories, they don't feel dry or clinical.
  While he does a great job of explaining things and giving parents ideas of what to be watching out for with their own kids... there is so much more to explore, for anyone interested! The greatest evidence of this is also right inside this book. I read the ebook version, and Kendi's actual writings end at 43% in. The entire back half of the book is references and links to sources. So, if you're wanting to dig deeper - those resources are all right there!
• 
  Brittany

  But one of the core findings of my historical research on racism is this idea: There is no such thing as a "not racist." One is expressing either ideas of racial equality (as an antiracist) or ideas of racial hierarchy (as a racist)... There's no in-between equality and hierarchy; equity and inequity; justice and injustice. The defining question for the individual in any given moment: Am I upholding the structure of racism through my action or inaction (as a racist) or challenging it (as an antiracist)?
  
  I don't know that I've ever wanted to highlight a book more. This is one that I will be buying and reading again and again. Kendi is a national treasure and has the ability to explain things in such a relatable way. He never makes his reader feel uninformed or overwhelmed. I ignorantly assumed Black parents didn't worry about or make mistakes when talking to their kids about racism. I could not have been more wrong, and Kendi's story that he so graciously shared, was the perfect reality check. I cannot recommend this enough for anyone that is a caregiver in any capacity.
  
  
• 
  Rachel Finkelstein

  An excellent reflection of memoir, theory and history! This is a must read for white parents of white children. Personally, I intend to revisit it as my children get older. I’ve kept some of Kendi’s points in mind as I parent my 3 and 1 year old.
• 
  Dani Littel

  I have been a listener of Kendi's work for some time now. I thought this would be a work I would appreciate and value. I did not realize how much I would love this work.
  
  Kendi lists the chapters by children's ages. Throughout the chapters, he weaves stories of his own daughter and intentionally raises her to combat a racist world. He later shares stories about his brother and himself. By providing these stories, the connection was powerful. It was not simply a step-by-step guide, but we can see scenarios.
  
  As an educator and mother, I know how important it is to be anti-racist. Of course, there are always shortcomings and biases for me to confront and room for me to ever evolve and learn. A heartful thank you for allowing me to learn from this narrative.
  
  Thank you to NetGalley for this read in exchange for a review.